24-year-old Palestinian Jamila Al-Habbash was not aware that her life will turn upside down on January 4th 2009 as a result of the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip. The offensive that caused the amputation of her legs could not steal her dream of being a journalist that conveys Gaza’s suffering to the world.
Jamila does not pay attention to those who oppose women working as a journalist in the community and she describes herself as a non-traditionalist who does not like traditional ideas and keeps distance from them.” She adds “I used to watch the news on Al-Jazeera. I watched the broadcaster’s movements. I focused on the minute details the type of voice he/she had” she said. A voice in my head asked me: When will you be in the same place?
In a tone full of challenge and hope Jamila spoke to the PIC reporter after realizing her dream and having her wheelchair cross to the headquarters of Al-Jazeera Network in Doha: “Since I was young I had a dream. My family used to call me the radio of the house because I was interested in following all news and events and talking about them.”
Injury and determination!
Although she was a victim of an Israeli bombardment that destroyed her childhood dreams and closed the door of hope for a bright future for her; her determination enabled her to open the door of hope again and to become a journalist conveying the concerns of her people.
In the year 2008/2009 the Israeli occupation launched the largest aggression on the Gaza Strip by then turning the life of Jamila upside down. She was 15 years old at the time when she suffered a severe injury that led to the amputation of her legs completely making her captive to a wheelchair.
Jamila told the PIC reporter that the occupation believed that this missile would cut my dream by amputating my legs. However I insisted on my dream after the injury. The media people who visited me after the injury greatly contributed to strengthening my belief in pursuing my dream.
She adds: “Thanks God I am a person who loves challenges and the future. I have overcome all the difficulties that faced me until I have achieved my dream.”
Jamila believes that the first reason for her success is strong patience and will. The second and most important is her family who she says were “Open-minded and supported my ambition.”
Feeling hopeful and happy Jamila mentions the third reason that helped her achieve her dream which were a group of experienced journalists who encouraged her to pursue her dream.
Manufacturing dreams
Jamila adds “I got the opportunity I was waiting for. Al-Jazeera invited me to attend its 15th anniversary. After that I received a training course in the field of television presentation which was a qualitative move for me.”
Jamila pointed out that when she reached Al-Jazeera she began realizing her dream. She said: “Al-Jazeera has kept its word with me.”
The young woman confirms that she is now practicing the profession of journalism seriously through a series of reports entitled ‘Their Pulse’ on Al-Jazeera which conveys the suffering of the victims of war in Gaza noting that she is receiving intensive training at Al-Jazeera with the team of Al-Jazeera this Morning and Al-Jazeera Media Institute.
